“Dear Annie,
I hope you’re okay. And I wish I could be there to find out when you are. I would give you a lot of kisses and tell you I love you. But I won’t be there. I understand now, why you gave me so many kisses and hugs the other day. And why you said you loved me so often. But now, I feel sorry for not doing the same. I know I’m going to be killed now. But that’s okay. Just as long as you and Finnick love each other, and I know you do. Mom and Dad said they can’t do anything, but Allany says they’re lying. I don’t mind. Because I lived a happy life, and I got to see you fall in love and WIN the Hunger Games. And I’m so proud of you Annie. I know when I die, Finnick’s Dad will be dying with me. So I guess we were meant to leave this world together. Which is good, because Finnick’s Dad is really nice. He taught me how to fish while you were in the Games. He said it would help distract me, even though I told him you would win. I guess not everyone knew. Anyway, they’re getting me ready to go. And I’m giving this letter to Raviah to make sure you get it. I love you so much Annie. You and Allany were the best big sisters I could ever have.
Love,
Your baby girl (Amee)”
The second I began reading, I began sobbing uncontrollably. Allany was reading over my shoulder crying too. She looked at me, when she finished reading.
“She said goodbye to all of us in person. But in a way, I think you’re luckier. You get to keep this forever.” She whispered through tears. I nodded. Finnick looked at me with remorse.
“Don’t worry Annie. She’s free now.” He added. But I looked at him, not trying to hide my sorrow. Not pretending his words helped. And he started crying too.
“It’s no use blaming yourselves.” Allany said, calmly.
“Either way, they’re gone. Mr. Odair and Amee. They’re gone. They can’t come back. No matter how much we cry.” She added. How could a 15 year old be so level headed? Stronger than two former Hunger Games tributes. We all sat, teary eyed and quiet for what felt like years.
“Annie. I’m sorry. For everything. I was told by Snow I had to marry Constine. I wasn’t allowed to tell you. But you had him fooled. He thought you and Meje were really in love. He felt I wasn’t over you though, and jealous of Meje. So he insisted I marry her, so I agreed. Then he said I had to announce it at your party. Which I also agreed to. Because I knew, no matter how much that hurt you, our families would be safe. But then I saw how hurt you were. And I knew, I just knew you were going to try to kill yourself again. This time, though…this time I thought I’d let you. But I’d go with you. So I wouldn’t have to deal with the pain of knowing I did that to you and that indirectly I killed you. The Capitol made it look like an accident. Like a riptide got you, and I went to save you. They said my dad and Amee died in it. Because I left a note. It wasn’t to you, like yours was to me. I assumed you’d be just as dead as me, and would never get to read it. So I left it to Constine. Telling her I could never love her and that I only love you. That I couldn’t live with myself knowing that I hurt you like I had.” He grew quiet, looking at me.
“It’s all true Annie. Raviah and him were talking about it while you were still unconscious.” Allany added.
“Okay.” I squeaked out.
“I love you.” Finnick said, staring me down with his gorgeous green eyes. I looked back. And with a mixture of sorrow and relief I replied.
“I love you too Finn.”
He gave me a weak smile. He looked at Allany.
“I guess we’re your new guardians.” He said.
“Yup.” She said it, in such a matter of fact tone, it was almost funny really. But I wasn’t ready to smile. Amee’s passing was fresh on my mind. Allany’s sarcasm, dark humor, or whatever she was doing, wasn’t going to warrant the flash of teeth it usually did. Finnick didn’t see anything funny in it himself. His mother died when he was young, and so he was raised by his father with no siblings. He understood Allany felt, losing her sister. But he couldn’t fathom the idea of wanting her parents dead. Something I was positive Raviah had mentioned. His father was a different person though. Someone much more better suited to be a parent than our parents turned out to be.
Finnick hugged her, tightly.
“Good. We need a practice kid.” He smiled, clearly joking in a very loving way. The idea of me being a mother someday though…I didn’t know how to feel. I was glad I could trust that Allany was safe with Finn, but I couldn’t trust that I would be safe with my own kids. Right now, I was way too unstable. And kids shouldn’t be raised in unstable lives. No matter how much Finnick would counteract me, I knew it was a bad idea.
I think Finnick saw me cringe, because he gave me a worried look.
“My throat hurts.” I said, which in truth it did. I needed more morphling. It was ironic that Finnick had hurt me more than I could’ve hurt myself. His eyes got misty, as he looked at me.
“I’m so sorry.” He barely managed to force the words out. I shrugged. What could I say? Oh, it’s okay that you tried to kill me, I understand? There was nothing I could say that wouldn’t make him feel worse. He hugged me. Allany looked at us. She allowed herself a small smile, the first one I saw since I found out about Amee. Finnick looked at her, puzzled.
“You really love her, don’t you?” she asked, in a soft voice. Finn nodded.
“You have no idea.” He replied. The pain was getting increasingly worse each second. To the point where breathing hurt. Allany stared at me.
“Annie?” she said, in a very worried tone. Finnick looked back at me. He took a sharp breath.
“I’ll go get help.” He said, jumping up. He was worried. I tried to ask Allany what was wrong, but I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t breathe. And with that, I passed back out. When I woke up next, Finnick, Raviah, and Allany were sitting in my room. Finnick was staring at me, like he was looking into me. He turned to Raviah, and began speaking to him. I looked past him, because I could Amee. I stared at her, she smiled at me.
She walked over to me, smiling still. I felt her kiss my cheek.
“Amee?” Her smile grew wider. She spoke. Saying I love you. I couldn’t hear it, but I could read her lips.
“I love you too.” I whispered back.
“Annie?” Finnick was beside me now as well. He snapped me out of it. I looked at him. Allany had tears falling from her eyes.
“Annie you’re so lucky. So, so lucky.” She said from her seat.
“I miss her.” I replied.
“I do too. But you get to at least think she’s here.” She shot back. Did she really think being crazy was worth it? Because it was. It really was. For just a moment I had Amee back. Finnick stroked my cheek.
“I thought that’s what it was.” Finn said gently, looking at me. I could feel his love for me, his concern. He leaned over to kiss me. It was a soft, sweet kiss.
